Free Love Inspired Suspense October 2015 #1 by Lenora Worth, Hope White, Diane Burke Page A

that but I can vouch for Rikki,” Alec said. “She’s a good person, Blain. She tries to keep her nose clean and she only comes back here to see her mother every so often. You probably know this already but Sonia has been ill for months now.” He paused and then added, “By the way, maybe Rikki will be at the wedding. If she’s up to it after what she’s been through.”
    Blain glanced at the calendar. “You’re getting married in two weeks. Wow, that’s soon.”
    Alec went silent and then asked, “Uh...you will be there, right?”
    Blain had to smile at Alec being a nervous groom. “I’m your best man, so yes, I’m planning on being there.”
    Although if Rikki Alvanetti came to the wedding, he’d be nervous, too. For all of them.
    â€œJust checking,” Alec replied. “I know how it works with you detective types.”
    â€œI’ll be there,” Blain said again, making a big red reminder on his calendar. “Got measured for my fancy suit and everything. Might even get my hair trimmed. And we have your bachelor party out at the camp next week. I’ll surely be there.”
    â€œNothing fancy,” Alec replied. “And no tricks.”
    â€œDon’t worry. Preacher will keep us on the straight and narrow.”
    â€œAlways.”
    Blain went over his notes. “So can you think of anyone who’d want to hurt Rikki? Did you know her friend Tessa?”
    â€œI didn’t know Tessa,” Alec said. “But I do know that Rikki’s family has made some enemies over the years. But most of those people tend to undercut business deals or take away clients. I can’t imagine any of them killing an innocent young woman.”
    â€œBut if the hit man thought that woman was Regina Alvanetti?”
    That’s a whole ’nother matter,” Alec said. “And a hard case to crack.”
    â€œTell me about it,” Blain retorted. “Thanks, Alec. I’ll talk to you soon. Tell Marla I said hello.”
    He hung up and called a few more of the names on the list. Most of the clients only had good things to say about her so no one stood out.
    But any one of these people could put on a good act for a stranger asking questions. She’d said she had a few appointments while she was here. He’d need to go over that schedule, too. She might need to cancel those meetings. Or he could go with her to all of them and observe. And protect her while he was at it.
    He’d also do background checks on as many clients as he could. Even wealthy people could turn out to be criminals. Happened all the time.
    He probably needed to talk to her neighbors again. People around that complex had to have heard something or seen something. He’d send one of the uniformed officers out again since Blain liked to keep a low profile.
    But this was Millbrook, after all. Everyone knew everyone else. And that could hinder this case.
    Deciding to call and check on Rikki, Blain walked outside to get some fresh air. He’d had the slashed tire replaced and he’d asked a couple of the patrolmen to watch the parking lot. Could be a random thing—kids out for a dare or maybe someone else who had a beef with him.
    But Blain’s gut told him that tire had been slashed deliberately. Was the killer still hanging around?
    He gazed around the parking lot while he waited for Rikki to pick up.
    â€œHello.”
    Her low, husky voice took away some of the December chill. “Hi. It’s Blain Kent. Just checking in. How are things going today?”
    â€œMy mother is awake,” she said. “A good sign but she’s still disoriented. Everything else is okay.”
    She didn’t sound okay. “Are you sure?”
    When she didn’t speak, he let out a breath. “Rikki, I need you to be honest with me. I can’t protect you if you keep hiding things from me.”
    â€œI’m not hiding